Blue Jays: Game 3 was second-longest in World Series history
Photo credit: © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Oct 28, 2025, 08:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 28, 2025, 05:05 EDT
The Toronto Blue Jays played a marathon on Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
Facing off against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the World Series, the two teams played just the second 18-inning game in World Series history. Overall, it lasted six hours and 39 minutes, with the Dodgers prevailing thanks to a home run by Freddie Freeman.
To say this was heartbreaking for the Blue Jays and their fans would be an understatement. Game 3 was a pivotal one, as the Dodgers took a 2-1 series lead with at least two more games in California.
Funnily enough, the other 18-inning game also involved the Dodgers in a Game 3 in Los Angeles. Back in 2018, the Dodgers played host to the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the World Series. Also in the 18th inning with no outs, Max Muncy hit a solo home run to the opposite field to walk off the Red Sox. The big difference is that the Red Sox had a 2-0 series lead heading into the game, while the Jays and Dodgers were tied at one game each.
The game against the Red Sox came before the pitch clock was implemented, as the game was seven hours and 20 minutes long. Despite having the pitch clock, Monday’s game was also a marathon, clocking in at six hours and 39 minutes.
A big part of this was because both the Jays and Dodgers struggled to hit with runners in position and left plenty of runners stranded. In 18 innings, the Jays left 19 runners on, going 2-12 with runners in scoring position. The Dodgers didn’t do any better, going 2-14 with runners in scoring position and stranding 18 runners.
Both teams emptied all their bullpen, with Eric Lauer of the Blue Jays and Will Klein of the Dodgers having strong performances in extra innings. With Game 4 coming on Tuesday, the Jays will have to have a strong performance by Shane Bieber, as the Dodgers will have Shohei Ohtani on the mound.
Safe to say that Tuesday’s Game 4 is a must-win, because falling to 3-1 in the series would essentially spell the end of the series.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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